The Shuri-ryu martial arts style is an electric style that was developed in the United States and founded by a Robert Trias in his time in the Navy during World War II. Trias later opened the first dojo in the US in 1946 in Phoenix, Arizona. Shuri-ryu has a lineage coming from a variety of sources including Shuri-te, Naha-te karate, and Xing Yi kung fu. Shuri-ryu mainly focuses on electric and striking your opponent almost like standard karate. In addition to the punches, blocks, and kicks of karate, Shuri-ryu also uses joint locks, take downs, throws, and kobudo fighting with traditional weapons.
Shuri-ryu also has several short combinations for its style of fighting. These include 26 ippon which are performed to develop form and power, 10 taezu for speed and fluidity, 30 kihon for developing fighting technique, 8 sen-te motions, and 7 kogeki-ho both for developing attacking and retreating. In addition to these, there are training exercises for support. These training exercises include, form sparring, focus stance sparring, free exercise and free sparring.
Shuri-ryu has three form exercises called Taikyoku Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan. These three exercise forms are meant to prepare the student to learn the 15 core forms or katas.
The 15 katas are: Wonsu, Anaku, Naihanchi Sho, Empi Sho, Sanchin, Tsue Sho No Kon, Bassai Dai, Go Pei Sho, Dan Enn Sho, Naihanchi Ni, Nan Dan Sho, Kanku Sho, Tekatana No Sai, Naihanchi San and Ten Sho. Other than these forms, there are multiple different variations of Sanchin and Tensho. Those are starter ones, but sometimes the senior sensei of Shuri-ryu would also teach several other forms such as Shudo So, Hakutsuru Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, and Yodan. Many of the katas emphasize the use of various animal forms. For instance, Wunsu uses the tiger form. Some katas emphasize multiple animal forms. For example, Dan Enn Sho is when ten animals are used. There are also 15 different animal body and fist form exercises.
Shuri-ryu, like most martial arts styles, has a belt system to identify with rank. A belt is awarded when a student demonstrates their proficiency when performing the required techniques and katas. The ranking system is called "The Pinnacle of Karate" by Trias himself and proceeds as follows from start to master: White, yellow, blue, green, purple, brown and finally black. With each rank, the student must also perform and pass a series of rigorous physical requirements before performing the actual technical requirements. Running one or more miles, lifting 10LB weights 75 times overhead (depending on gender), performing 500 to 1000 front kicks and various hand technique exercises are commonly used.
